The gender pay gap is deeply connected to having a family and the lack of paid family leave, as illuminated in your article. The American family and economy have quickly changed, but policy has not. Women give birth later, and more stay in the work force. Yet simple policy solutions lack bipartisanship, and only five states, including New York, have passed paid-leave legislation.

In the 1970s, women gave birth to their first child around age 21, and only 34 percent were working. Today, the average is 28 and at least 61 percent work. By your own analysis, the American mother is at a permanent disadvantage. You write, “When women have their first child between age 25 and 35, their pay never recovers.”

Americans know that we have a paid-family-leave problem. It is estimated that one in four women go back to work within two weeks of giving birth.

Republicans and Democrats talk about tackling the gender pay gap and helping working families. With clear data guiding the way, bipartisan legislation for paid family leave should be a priority.

ADRIENNE SCHWEER, MCLEAN, VA.

The writer is a fellow on paid family leave with the Bipartisan Policy Center and a working mother of three.